Grenade



R. A- HUNTER Feb. 28, i939.

GRENADE Filed May 12, 1937 2 lShee'--Sheet l INVENTOR.

ATTORNEY R A. HUNTER Feb. 28, 1939.

GRENADE Filed May l2, 1937 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENToR.

ATTORNEY Patented Feb. 28, 1939 UNiTED STATE-s PATENT voFFicE:

4 Claims.

This invention relates to grenades, and particularly to a -g-renade which liberates tear-gas or other disabling gases when discharged.

Gne of the objects of this invention is to -provide a grenade which is completely assembled in the factory.

Another lobject of the invention is 'to provide a grenade which will not fail-'to discharge, due to improper assembly by the customer, when fhe is required to assemble certain par-tssuch as lthe time-fuse-head (Bouchon-head).

Yet another object of the invention is to devise a grenade which has a series of safety locks which absolutely prevent accidental discharge.

Still another object of the invention is lto .produce a grenade which has the shape of a sphere instead of the conventional oblong shape.

Another object of the invention is lto provide a grenade i-n `which the Ytime-'fuse-head is within the spherical body. Y

A still further object of the invention is lto produce a `grenade which maybe thrown a `greater distance, due to I'its spherical shape, and which will roll a-round, yafter throwing, from place to place thus distributing the incapaci-tating gas over a large area :thereby acting with a terrifying -eiect upon a mob.

My improved grenade is always in Vcondition for immediateY use and 'since-the Igas producing chemicals are hermetically sealed in suitable combustible containers as forinstance shown in my Patent tll/i, dated June :5, 1934, the grenade may be read-ily fstored for an indenite period of time without deterioration. Many other objects and advantages -oi `my invention will Vbe apparent to those familiar with the art.

In the accompany-ing drawings, illustrating the present preferred embodiments of my invention;

Figure 1 is a longitudinal section through .the center of a ball grenade embodying the invention.

Figure 2 is a horizontal section through the grenade along line 2&2 Vin Figure `1.

Figure 3 is sectional view along line 3 3 in Figure 1.

Figure 4 is a top view of the ring ymechanism retainer. f

Figure 5 is a sectional view of the firing mechanism retainer along `line Vii-5 in Figure 4.

Figure 6 is a top viewof the primer and time- Fuse-sleeve.

Figure 7 is va crossesectional `view on line 6 6 in Figure 6.

Figure 8 shows a sectional View of the cover of the grenade.

Figure 9 is a bottom view of .Figure 8.

Figure 1.0 is 4an outline viewof the liiring-pin and wing nut. i

Figure 11 :shows one :of ing pins. V

Figure l2 is .a Vsectional view along line I2-I2 5 .in Figure 10.

vli'ig-ure 13 -is a sectional view of ya modified form of my inventionwith .parts shown in outline.

vFigure 14 shows a top view of the striker carrier inthe modiiica'tion shown in Figure 13.

.Figure 1'5' is .a sectional view Aon line -15-.15 in Fig-ure 14.

Figure 1.6 is fa perspective view .of :the striker as used in Figures 13 to 15 inclusive.

Figure -17 vshows :a perspective `View of the 15 striker spring 'used .in Figures 13 -to 15, .and

Figure `18 Yis a plan view Yof .the screw which supports the strikers.

In :the illustrated embodiment of my invention (Figures .l Vto 113 inclusive) there is shown a grenade :comprising afbottomportion 20,.a middle portion 2l and 2a cover 22 which, assembled,`.con form :to the :out-line of .a sphere.

Ehe :said bottom portion 210 Vof thev grenade is made vof suitable metal and is exteriorly threaded ,25 adjacent the upper portion T23 to receive the interiorly threaded middle portion 2i, as shown. -The top of 4said imiddle portion. 2i is :provided -with a neckf12'4, which .is interiorly threaded as indicated 4bythe numeral .2 5,.into whichis screwed 30 zthe ring mechanism retainer 2S runtil it reaches the inwardly directed circular ange 21 fof the neck 24. The said iring mechanism retainer 26 is provided with :a `downwardly and centrally disposed -cylindrical lextension 28, the-lowermost` tend 2B of which is provided with'external threads 39 to receive the Lprimer and -time-fuse-sleeve 3|. The bore 32 of said cylindrical extension 28 terminates fat the upper `end into a reduced bore 33, to freely vreceive the ring pin 35, and to prevent turning of the latter in said bore 34 said .ring pin .35 is provided with a flattened portion 3B which corresponds to the inwardly exten-ding flattened lip 37 within said reduced bore 33, as shown in Figures 4 land 5. The top end 38 oisaid firing mechanism retainer 26 is provided vwith 'a -concentrically disposed Vgroove or channel 39, )the .bottom 46 of which is provided with a series -of vequally spaced vent lapertures 4|.

The circularcentral top portion l2 of said ring mechanism is vslightly higher than the externally threaded rim 43. A pair of horizontally and oppositely disposed bores VUl are provided 'adjacent the upmost face 42 of aforesaid top portion 38, each having a `reduced aperture 46 to freely `ac- -the firing pin-retainyus rses

commodate the locking pins 41 and 48, the latter of which being suiiiciently short so as notv to enter aperture 49 in firing pin.35, when in nal assembly. An expansion spring 50 is coiled around each of said locking pins 41 and 48 which normallyiorce these pins outwardly and against the inner surface 5| of the cylindrical depending ring 52 of the cover 22 of the grenade body.

As best shown in Figures 1, 6, and 7, the primer and time-fuse-sleeve 3| comprises a cylindrical bar 53 having a tapered bottom 54, a central aperture 55 and an enlarged internally threaded counterbore 56 which is adapted to be screwed on the cylindrical nism retainer 26. The numeral primer which may be bought inthe open market and the numeral 58 indicates the time-fuse also obtainable in the open market, the latter usually comprises an externally threaded ferrule 59 made from lead or similar material which is provided with a beveled counterbore 60 and iilled with a booster composition or powder 6l.

The ring pin 35 (Figures 1 and 10) is provided atits bottom with a conical strike point 62 merging into a circular flange 63, as shown, over which is coiled around an expansion coil spring 64. vThe upper part of said iiring pin 35 has a flattened portion 36,r a lower aperture 49 through which the locking pin 41 penetrates, when in assembled position and an upper aperture 65 adapted to receive a Cotter-key 66 to which is attached the pull-ring 61. The upper end of said firing pin 35 is threaded to receive the Wing-nut 68.

As heretofore stated, the cover 22 of the grenade body is provided with a depending ring 52 (Figures 1, 8,-and-9) which also serves as a guide ior a compression coil spring 69, the purpose of which will be explained later. v

Referring to Figure 1 of the drawings there is shown a cross-sectional View of the asesmbled grenade, ready for use, the bottom portion 22 containing easy melting capsules 10, filled with an incapacitating gas such as chloracetophenone,

etc. These capsules 1l) are packed in a burning mixture 1| of any suitable composition around a sleeve 12 of celluloid or other combustible material.

The said sleeve 12 serves to separate said burning mixture 1I from the ring mechanism retainer 26 and primer and time-fuse-sleeve 3| it also serves to rapidly ignite the burning mixture 1| over a large area.

A small quantity of a quick combustible starting mixture 13 is placed in said sleeve 12 before the assembled firing mechanism 14 is inserted in its final position, as shown in Figure 1. In this position the lowermost end 15 of the primer and time-fuse-sleeve 3| including its time-fuse 58 Y penetrates the starting mixture 13 with the result, that said time-fuse 58 contacts the starting mixture 13.

Figure 1 shows the grenade in locked condition, ready for storing or shipping and it will be noted that I provide, in this construction four distinct locks to prevent accidental discharge of the grenade; firstly, the locking pin 41 which holds the firing pin 35 in cocked position, secondly, the depending ring 52 of the cover 22 which prevents the locking pin 41 from coming out of the aperture 49 of the firing pin 35, thirdly, the cotter key 66 and lastly, the wing nut 68. When so locked the grenade may be handled without injury andY there are no outside vents may escape. To throw through whichV gas the greada'hoid the cover 22 with f tensioned firing pin 35,

y mixture 13 on re, melting the extension 28 of the firing mechav' 51 indicates'the Y Vin assembled position,

f thus permitting the spring tensioned locking pin 5 41 to come out 'of engagement of the aperture 49 of the ring pin 35, thereby releasing the spring the strike point 62 of which strikes the primer cap 51 which in turn ignites the time fuse 58 which Sets the'starting I Celluloid tube 12 which ignites the burning mixture 1| thereby melting the capsules 10 the contents 'of which convert into disabling gas which is expelled rapidly and violently through the series of vents 4| In the modiiied form shown in Figures 13 to 18 inclusive, the general construction of the grenade is analogous vto the one previously described with the exception, that instead of using ya single firing pin, two strikers are substituted. In order to avoid elaboration, yI will onlyv describe parts different from the preferred form of the invention heretofore described. Y

The intermediate portion 2l of the grenade body has a neck 24 whichis provided with interior threads 25 to receive the striker-carrier 14, which, with the exception that the downwardly directed cylindrical extension 28 yis omitted and the Vupwardly centrally disposed threaded stud 15 is added, is identicaly with the firing mechanism retainer 26 heretofore described.

The lower end 16 of said stud 15 is squared and provided with a threaded aperture 11 to receive the screw 18 which carries a pair of'strikers 19 and the coil springs in a manner as shown in Figures 13 to 15 inclusive. These strikers 19, preferably made from sheet material consist of a triangular body 8| having outwardly yand oppositely yextending apertured ears 82, which are hingedly attached to said screw 18. The free end 83 of said triangular body 8| is provided with a conical striking pin 84 which is riveted or weldedV to the underside of said body 8| as best illustrated in Figure 16.

The Vstriker carrier 14 is also provided with a pair of vertically disposed apertures 85 which are in alignment with the striking pin 84 when each of said apertures securely holds a primer V86 and a time-fuse 81, the latter of which extends beyond the lower face 88 of said striker carrier 14 so as to come, when in final position, in close proximity to the top of the burning mixture 89. If desired a protective covering 90 of Celluloid or other easy combustible material may be provided over the burning mixture which is held in position between the joint 9| of the bottom portion 28 and the middle portion 2| of the grenade body.

Referring to Figures 13 and 14 it will be noted that the strikers 19, when in assembled position, are flapped over as shown in dot and dash lines (Figure 14) and indicated by the numeral 92, so as to tension the strikers 19 by the springs 80, and are held in that position by the cover 22.

To operate: E

69, flies off, thereby 7,

Cil

capsules 10, the contents of which convert into disabling gas which is violently and rapidly liberated and expelled through the vents 92 of the striker-carrier 1li.

From the foregoing description, taken in connection with the drawings, it will be seen that my invention provides a grenade of the character set forth which is simple in construction and designed to carry out the objects of the invention in a reliable and eii'icient manner. It will, of course, be understood without departing from the spirit of or sacricing any of the advantages of the invention.

What I claim is:

1. In a grenade, a spherical body comprising three parts, the bottom portion adapted to hold disabling gas producing chemicals, the intermediate portion forming a cover for said bottom portion and the upper portion forming the cap' portion, a spring tensioned ring pin in said intermediate portion and prothrough said upper portion, a plurality of locking means to retain said spring tensioned firing pm in cocked and locked position, two of ing means comprising a Cotter-pin and nut, both of which being adapted to be removed before throwing, and spring means efsaid Cotter-pin and wing nut, said spring-tensioned ring pin independent of said spring means.

2. In a grenade, a spherical body comprising three parts, the bottom portion adapted to hold disabling gas producing chemicals, the intermediate portion forming a cover for said bottom portion and the upper portion forming the cap for said intermediate portion, a spring tensioned iring pin in said intermediate portion and prothrough said upper portion, a plurality of locking means to retain said spring tensioned ring pin in cocked and locked position, two of said locking means comprising a Cotter-pin and a wing nut, both of which being adapted to be removed before throwing, an additional locking means for said ring pin comprising a pair of horizontally and oppositely disposed spring tensioned locking pins, only one adapted to proprepared aperture in the ring pin, and spring means eiective on said upper portion of said spherical body to expel same upon removal of aforesaid Cotter-pin and wing nut, said spring tensioned firing pin independent of said spring means.

3. In a grenade, a spherical body comprising three parts, the bottom portion adapted to hold disabling gas producing chemicals, the intermediate portion forming a cover for said bottom portion, and the upper portion forming a cover for said intermediate portion and provided with a depending circular flange, a spring tensioned nring pin in said intermediate portion and protruding through said upper portion, a plurality of locking means to retain said spring tensioned ring pin in cocked and locked position, two of said locking means comprising a Cotter-pin and both of which being adapted t0 be only one adapted to penetrate a prepared aperture in said firing pin but both adapted to come in frictional engagement with said depending circular flange of said upper portion of said spherical body, andl spring means eiective on said upper portion to expel same upon removal of aforesaid Cotter-pin and wing nut, said spring tensioned ring pin independent of said spring means.

4. In a grenade, a spherical body comprising three parts, the bottom portion adapted to hold disabling gas producing chemicals, the intermediate portion forming a portion, and the upper portion forming a cap for said intermediate portion, a ring mechanism carrier secured in said intermediate portion, said carrier having an upwardly and centrally disposed shank protruding beyond the upper portion of said spherical body, a plurality of ring mechanisms hingedly mounted on said shank and locking means for said ring mechanisms, and independent spring means eiective on said upper portion of said spherical body to expel same upon removal of said locking means.

REX A. HUNTER. 

